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CARLISLE ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF CHINATOWN HISTORY PROJECT (Fri., June 22, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced the successful completion of a unique City effort that helps visitors understand and appreciate the vibrant history and heritage of Honolulu's Chinatown. The Chinatown Heritage Tourism Infrastructure project included detailed historical research, the installation of bronze plaques on 16 historic Chinatown buildings, the creation of attractive color brochures for walking tours of historic sites, and the development of four interactive informational kiosk exhibits that showcase different Chinatown eras with videos, timelines, historic photos and maps. "Chinatown is one of Honolulu's most interesting and exciting neighborhoods, with fascinating stories to share," Carlisle said. "We're helping to preserve that history by making it more accessible to everyone." The project was implemented by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Honolulu Culture and Arts District Association, and was a collaborative effort that included historians, researchers, graduate students, area residents and local businesses and artists. In 2006, the White House designated Chinatown a Preserve America Community Neighborhood, making Honolulu eligible for federal historic preservation support. The Chinatown Heritage Tourism Infrastructure project is a direct result of that designation. The project's goals are to develop heritage tourism infrastructure that showcases Chinatown's historic periods, helps visitors understand how existing Chinatown businesses are connected to the neighborhood's history and culture, and helps maintain Chinatown's character and identity through heritage interpretation tools such as exhibits and informational materials. Information about this project and Chinatown history is posted on the Honolulu Culture and Arts District Association website, www.hcadhawaii.org and on a dedicated project website, www.chinatownhonolulu.org -30-   Media contact: Johnny Brannon, Mayor's Office, 768-5767.